Species Details

Spartiniphaga panatela

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »

IdentificationA small (approx 2.2-2.4 cm wingspan) light beige or tan moth. The usual noctuid spots and lines are reduced to a series of black dots where the antemedian and postmedian lines cross the veins. The most prominent marking is usually the dark smeared streak running outward along the median vein. The forewing beyond the postmedian line is often dark as well, and in pale specimens here is narrow black terminal line. The veins, especially on the outer third, are lined with white scales. The hindwings are light tan, with a faint median line, discal spot and a thin dark terminal line. Antennae are simple and the sexes are similar. The overall color can be quite variable, from darker brown to very light (as illustrated). Melanic specimens also occur. The illustrated specimen is from the CBIF Moths of Canada website.

Scientific Name Spartiniphaga panatela Identification
A small (approx 2.2-2.4 cm wingspan) light beige or tan moth. The usual noctuid spots and lines are reduced to a series of black dots where the antemedian and postmedian lines cross the veins. The most prominent…
A small (approx 2.2-2.4 cm wingspan) light beige or tan moth. The usual noctuid spots and lines are reduced to a series of black dots where the antemedian and postmedian lines cross the veins. The most prominent marking is usually the dark smeared streak running outward along the median vein. The forewing beyond the postmedian line is often dark as well, and in pale specimens here is narrow black terminal line. The veins, especially on the outer third, are lined with white scales. The hindwings are light tan, with a faint median line, discal spot and a thin dark terminal line. Antennae are simple and the sexes are similar. The overall color can be quite variable, from darker brown to very light (as illustrated). Melanic specimens also occur. The illustrated specimen is from the CBIF Moths of Canada website.
Life History
Almost nothing is known of the life history. The adults are nocturnal and come to light, and there appears to be a single annual brood with the adults flying in early summer. The larval hosts are unknown, but other…
Almost nothing is known of the life history. The adults are nocturnal and come to light, and there appears to be a single annual brood with the adults flying in early summer. The larval hosts are unknown, but other members of the genus are stem borers, and it has been postulated that panatela are also borers in the stem of a wetlands plant. The generic name Spartinaphaga translates as "Cordgrass eater", but does not imply that cordgrass is a host of panatela.
Diet Info
The larval hosts are unknown, but other members of the genus are stem borers, and it has been postulated that panatela are also borers in the stem of a wetlands plant. The generic name Spartinaphaga translates as…
The larval hosts are unknown, but other members of the genus are stem borers, and it has been postulated that panatela are also borers in the stem of a wetlands plant. The generic name Spartinaphaga translates as "Cordgrass eater", but does not imply that cordgrass is a host of panatela.
Range
An eastern species, ranging from the Maritimes west to the Rocky Mountains, south at least to New York, Indiana, Illinois and Ohio. It is listed as rare in Ohio and Illinois. In Alberta it is known only from 3 Bowman…
An eastern species, ranging from the Maritimes west to the Rocky Mountains, south at least to New York, Indiana, Illinois and Ohio. It is listed as rare in Ohio and Illinois. In Alberta it is known only from 3 Bowman specimens collected at Edmonton in the first half of the last century, and his listing it without details for Calgary. The dates are from June 23 to July 12. Panatela is found associated with wetlands.

Citation

Page Citation for Spartiniphaga panatela

Page Citation

"Species Details - Spartiniphaga panatela, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-6344. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Authorship

Name Anweiler, G. G.
Role species page author
Date 2007

References

Specimen Information

There are 4 specimens of this Species.

4 results plotted on map in 2 markers.
Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.

UASM14680 - Spartiniphaga panatela

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1945-07-12

UASM14684 - Spartiniphaga panatela

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1941-06-23

UASM14693 - Spartiniphaga panatela

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton Collected ByBowman, K. Date Collected1917-07-04

UASM129340 - Spartiniphaga panatela

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Carp Ridge Collected ByTroubridge, J. Date Collected2004-06-19

Adult Seasonal Distribution